Backswimmer

Backswimmer

Geographical Range

North and Central America

Habitat

Ponds and slow-flowing shallow streams

Scientific Name

Notonecta undulata

Conservation Status

Not listed by IUCN

As its name suggests, this water bug swims on its back. Backswimmers are "true" bugs (so-called because they posses certain features, like a piercing mouthpart). They have an unusual adaptation that allows them to survive under water for long periods of time: they breathe by storing a bubble of air on their abdomen. When the bubble of air runs out, they surface for another one.

Swimmers have also nicknamed this bug the "water bee" or "water wasp" because of its painful bite.